It’s not exactly the same, but Joe Taimanglo has gone up against bigger and stronger opponents before, and that’s why he knows there’s no backing down when it comes to Justin Wilcox.

Taimanglo (19-4 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) and Wilcox (12-5 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) fight tonight in the Season 9 featherweight tournament semifinals at Bellator 103, and there’s plenty at stake for the winner. The stakes are much different than when Taimanglo was coming up in Guam.

“I grew up fighting in the streets,” Taimanglo told MMAjunkie.com. “A lot of people picked on me because I was a little guy, but I wouldn’t take s–t from nobody. Big guys would see a little guy and pick on me, and I was like, ‘You’re trying to hurt me and I’m not backing down. I’m not looking for trouble but if you really wanna fight, I’ll f–king f–k you up.”

Bellator 103 takes place at Kansas Star Arena at Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, just south of Wichita. The main card airs on Spike TV (9 p.m. ET) after prelims at Spike.com (7 p.m. ET).

Wilcox is a former lightweight who has eight fights’ worth of experience in Strikeforce. He’s a world-class wrestler and he’s known for his heavy hands. Bigger and stronger than Taimanglo? Sure, maybe. But that never stopped him back in the day, and it won’t stop him now.

“I actually had a lot of guys who jumped me when I was younger come up to me and apologize and tell me they’re proud to see what I’ve done with myself,” he said. “I have to thank those guys. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am, wouldn’t be as tough as I am. It made my heart bigger.”

But the 29-year-old acknowledges that it’s going to take more than heart to beat Wilcox, who is a 5-to-1 favorite in the fight.

On just a week’s notice, Wilcox stepped into the tournament in September and choked out Akop Stepanyan to advance to the semifinals against Taimanglo, who took a decision from Andrew Fisher at the same event, Bellator 99. That win got Taimanglo to 2-0 under the Bellator banner.

“Wilcox has great wrestling and he’s a big power puncher,” Taimanglo said. “I think his wrestling is the strongest point of his game. He’s a 155er turned 145, but I train with big 155ers every day. His wrestling is probably going to be better than mine. I’m not the best wrestler and his wrestling will always be better on paper. But that’s about it. With my go-to techniques, I’ll let my hands, my speed and power take its toll. I’ll try to wear and tear on him throughout the fight and get the finish as quickly as possible. I’m looking to finish Justin.”

Taimanglo’s training at Alliance MMA in San Diego is one area he believes will give him the edge against Wilcox, regardless of what the oddsmakers are saying.

“The Juggernaut” got his start there after a fight in the Philippines that some Alliance fighters were at. It was thought that Taimanglo might be the perfect training partner for UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz for his preparation for an October 2011 title fight against Demetrious Johnson, and the rest is history.

That was more than enough reason for Taimanglo to stick around in the States after bouncing back and forth from the U.S. and Guam and from camp to camp.

“Ever since then, my game has shot through the roof,” he said. “It was a dream come true. That also made a lot of noise with my people back home in Guam. They saw my MMA career was going up and they showed me a lot of support and love. That’s what keeps pushing me forward in the sport – to represent Guam and myself.”

Now he just hopes he can take it one step further against Wilcox tonight in Kansas with a trip to the tournament final at stake – where the winner would get a total of $100,000 in tournament prize money and a title shot.

“I’m unique because of my athleticism,” he said. “I’m never going to give up. I’m always going to be pushing my way out of bad positions and into better ones. These guys should watch out because I’m well-prepared for anything and everything. Fans should always expect pure excitement when I fight. I’m always going to bring the heat, a high pace and I’m not looking for a safe fight.

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